About Us

The Waddington Brothers, a band of four brothers from rural North Dakota, perform what they
live: music that is real to them, that takes listeners on a journey through the heart of the
American West.

Seth, Ethan, Jacob, and Job Waddington skillfully blend cowboy and bluegrass music, creating
a style that’s timelessly classic and yet refreshingly new and unique. With their rich, stirring
vocal harmonies and instrumental versatility that ranges from hard-driving bluegrass to more
mellow acoustic tones, this quartet has developed a sound that is truly as strong as it is special.
And their gift for captivating an audience comes naturally to these men. Whether they’re singing
about cowboys or cabins, hunting or horseback riding, ranches or Indian reservations, The
Waddington Brothers share heartfelt songs that evoke feelings of warmth, appreciation, and a
genuine connection to the way life was lived by our country’s pioneers.

This group shares their music as a well-polished craft: one that’s been cultivated by four siblings
who have been playing and singing together their entire lives. While their performing experience
together traces back to 2004, the band officially came together as The Waddington Brothers in
2019. Their musical inspiration today is drawn from many pools of influences. Their sound might
be described as a mixture of traditional bluegrass, gospel music, and Western strains
reminiscent of The Sons of the Pioneers. Even more accurately, though, it can be described as
something brand new—something powerfully different—a breath of fresh air to their audiences,
that could only be created by four brothers with such an authentic synergy and blend. And it’s
been proven: in 2023 at the annual SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music
of America) Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, The Waddington Brothers took first place in
the International Bluegrass Band Competition.

Meet The Boys

north-dakota-waddington-brothers-band-guitar-bluegrass-western-cowboy-music

Seth Waddington

Seth Waddington is the only married member of the Waddington Brothers. With 4 small children to keep him running, when does he find time to practice? The joy of Seth's life is Rachel, his lovely wife. Seth's hobby is collecting vintage guitars, but it's such an expensive hobby that he can only afford to own one. He also taught himself how to tune pianos. Seth is the leader of this quartet because he is the oldest and wisest. He started playing guitar under the tutelage of their father, Caleb Waddington, when Seth was just 10. It was Seth who mentored his younger brothers in mandolin and banjo and encouraged them to practice. (If you guys don't practice I will break your arms, so help me.) Nowadays, Seth plays guitar, and he does it with grace and style.

bluegrass-music-banjo-western-north-dakota-band-waddington-brothers

Ethan Waddington

Ethan first picked up a 5 string banjo when he was 11 years old. When he was 18 he took second place in the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship back in 2009. He also plays upright Bass.

Between Jacob and Ethan, it's sometimes hard to determine which brother is the smart one and which one is the good looking one. (Only the shadow knows.) These twin lumberjacks stay busy building and finishing log cabins with hand tools and the sweat of their brow. Ethan and Jacob find great enjoyment hunting raccoon and wildcats with their hounds when they aren't making music.

waddington-brothers-mandolin-north-dakota-bluegrass-western-band

Jacob Waddington

Jacob spent many hours toward earning a private pilot's license. He has been playing the Mandolin since he was 12. He also plays the four string tenor guitar. Tenor guitars came into prominence in the 1920s and 30s with Jazz bands and dance orchestras. Until recently , these instruments were considered by modern musicians to be a musical oddity.

bass-north-dakota-waddington-brothers-band-bluegrass-western-cowboy-sons-of-the-pioneers

Job Waddington

Job is the youngest of the brothers at 17. When he isn't driving his 1953 International pickup around the farmstead he is wishing that it was running. In addition to music, Job has multiple interests to occupy his free time. No video games or social media for this lad. Selling hoods that he makes for falconry enthusiasts and helping his father with the family tree trimming business keep him busy. Job specializes in playing the upright bass and also plays the chromatic harmonica.

Incidentally, the brothers will tell you that the difference between a hound and a dog is that a hound is a canine with which you go hunting, and a dog barks at you from the neighbors yard.